Trysten makes an appearance then. His eyes widen for a heartbeat before narrowing into something sharper with understanding.
I shake my head, and his gaze falls on her. “Sienna,” he says coolly.
There’s a false smile on his face that doesn’t reach his eyes. He hates Sienna more than I do, which is a recent development for me.I’ve always pitied her. He, however, hasn’t ever given her the time of day.
“Trysten,” she responds coyly. “Wanna play with us?”
A low growl works its way up my throat.
"I’m not really into forcing myself upon people who don’t want me,” he says flatly.
I take another step, boxed in between my bed and the disaster she’s making of my night. “Leave, Sienna. I don’t want you. This is the last time I’ll say it. I won’t offer you this kindness again. Now get out.”
She scoffs. “How would you know? I’d be the best lay you’ve ever had. Is it because of that pathetic princess who keeps following you around?”
That does it. That cold, quiet part of me rises—the part that doesn’t yell. Doesn’t plead. Only ends things. Too many times has she shown up at my door wearing thin clothing that leaves absolutely nothing to the imagination, and too many times she has attempted to seduce me. But now she’s going to bring Raea into this? I rake my hands through my hair, already regretting not calling Rune minutes ago.
“I’m done asking.” My voice is deadly calm. “Get out. Now. Or I’ll call Rune and let him drag you out by the hair.” My hands curl into fists. There’s no way I can remove her myself without giving her the satisfaction of looking at her. “I’m serious,” I growl. “Get. Out.”
Trysten snorts, crossing his arms. “Bye,” he says, waving his fingers.
Melodically, she replies, “You’re not a good liar, Ryker.” She drags a nail down my back. “That haughty bitch doesn’t even know you.”
Another long drag of her nails. Her touch makes me want to vomit. Anger floods in—cold, sharp, and final. Like steel drawn under moonlight. If she ever comes close to touching me again, she’s done.
She steps back—maybe sensing it, maybe just out of smug satisfaction—but as luck would have it, the door clicks open. I turn at the same time everyone looks to see Raea entering my room. I added her fingerprint to the lock and told her to use my room whenever sheneeded to be alone. Never pictured this being a scenario she walked in on.
“I—” Raea starts, eyes flicking between the three of us.
Sienna’s cloak is draped over her arm, and what sheiswearing barely qualifies as clothing. The whisper-thin silk robe hangs open, revealing everything.
"It’s not what it looks like.” I stride across the room, my steps eating up the distance quickly.
Raea looks to Trysten, who immediately nods. “It’s not,” he says firmly.
Sienna’s voice slices through the air. “Why doesshehave access to your room, Ryker? Are you bedding her now?”
Trysten moves first. “He told you to leave. You’re humiliating yourself.”
I wrap my arms around Raea, feeling her tremble. “I swear, she just showed up. Nothing happened.”
She barely nods before turning to Sienna. “Guess you won’t be bagging yourself a king.” She’s trying to hide the tremble in her voice, but I hear it.
Trysten coughs, hiding a chuckle.
“And since Cole isn’t here to fall for your act, maybe you’ll have to settle for a Lord. I could help you find someone…if you’re that desperate.”
I bite the inside of my cheek. Gods,who is this girl?Raea is usually poised and reserved except when it comes to me.
And I love this side of her.
I curl a hand around her waist, pulling her back against me. If we didn’t have an audience, I’d consider throwing her on my bed and worshipping her, mental shield in place or not. It shouldn’t turn me on as much as it does, but then again, everything Raea does turns me on.
Sienna scoffs. “Desperate? If I was desperate, I’d be on my knees again, sucking him until he was growling my name. He liked it well enough last time.”
Raea flinches while I sigh.
“That was six years ago. I was drunk. It meant nothing.” I turn to face Sienna fully now, my voice like ice. “I don’t even remember it. But clearly, you do. If that’s what you’re clinging to, that one mistake, then that says everything.”
